‘”It’s an adjustment he has to make,” Ruff said. “He’s got a history. He’s been suspended a little bit more, I think, because of the history of the incidents. Pat has to learn from it. We need him on the ice. We don’t need him sitting in the stands.”‘

‘“I just stuck around because I just want to say what a piece of (expletive) I think Lucic is,” said Miller. “Fifty pounds on me, and he runs me like that. It’s unbelievable. Everyone in this city sees him as a big, tough, solid player. I respected him for how hard he played. That was gutless. Gutless, piece of (expletive).”’

‘Actually, gutless would be a better description for the utter lack of response from the Sabres to the sight of their goalie laid out violently. Lucic was called for charging, but faced no other repercussions for the hit. Despite violating one of hockey’s most vigorously enforced unwritten rules to avoid hitting the goalie, the Sabres did absolutely nothing to retaliate.’

‘Things got dicey at the 13:12 mark when Milan Lucic took a run at Miller, knocking him to the ice and sending his mask flying. Andrej Sekera, Paul Gaustad and Vanek all got in Lucic’s face. The Boston forward received a two minute minor for charging. The Sabres failed to capitalize on the powerplay; Drew Stafford took a minor for tripping.’

‘“Fifty pounds on me and he runs me like that?” said a visibly upset Miller. “Unbelievable. Everyone in [Boston] sees him as this big, tough, solid player. I respected him for how hard he played. That was gutless. Gutless.”’